In fact, Canadian drivers who care about the environment have begun actively seeking eco-friendly garages. It’s a trend that’s picking up speed, and as demand increases, more and more garages and auto body shops are taking a closer look at their energy conservation, waste, and the quality of the materials they use.
If you’re planning to pursue a career in auto body repair, read on to discover some of the green practices that shops and technicians are adopting.
Today’s Auto Body Technicians Use Products with Low VOC Counts
One issue that the Canadian government has addressed in recent years is the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in products used in auto body shops. VOCs are chemicals that easily evaporate into the air. In a body shop, they’re commonly found in products like paints, primers, and compounds, as well as some waxes and other refinishing products. While you’ll be trained to wear masks during your auto body repair courses, VOCs stay in the air long after body work is done and can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. If using products with a high VOC count can affect the air quality in an auto shop, just imagine the impact that thousands of auto shops across the country can have on the ozone layer!
That’s why green collision repair shops use primers, paints, topcoats, sealants and other products with a low VOC count. These products are water-based rather than solvent-based. Not only do they make the air in the shop safer for everyone to breathe during their careers in the auto industry, they also contribute to a healthier environment.
Auto Body Technicians Use Eco-Friendly Equipment in Green Collision Repair Shops
The equipment that is used in auto body shops can also have an impact on the environment. For example, refinish cabins and paint booths in green shops are ventilated and use filters that eliminate as many harmful fumes and emissions as possible.
One way you can reduce your carbon footprint in your auto body career is to use environmentally friendly equipment such as a high transfer paint gun. These paint guns produce a more efficient spray so that less paint goes into the air and environment. When you refinish a door or panel after a repair, you’ll also require less paint than with a conventional spray gun, which also saves your shop money in the long run.
In addition to using efficient equipment, there are also several other green practices that you can do around the shop to reduce pollution and save energy. For example, you could use energy efficient tools and make sure to turn equipment off while it’s not in use.
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